The quality of air inside the home is more important than residents realize; the air can contain a variety of pollutants and allergens that can be harmful to you and your family’s health—especially if you have pre-existing allergies or trouble breathing. In fact, studies have shown that dust levels are at their highest around this time of year since homes are often sealed against the outdoor winter weather; and with the home inhabiting more guests for the holidays and New Year, it’s the perfect recipe for excessive dust buildup. Here are some ways you can drastically improve the indoor air quality of your home after the festivities:
Keep Your Home Dust Free
Dust regularly throughout the home to avoid major dust buildup. When you dust, it’s important that you avoid using a feather duster; dusting tools like this tend to disperse dust in the home, rather than removing it. Instead, use a damp cloth to dust areas.
In addition, make sure you dust the hard to reach areas of the home, like the top of bookshelves and your ceiling fans. When it comes to the ceiling fan, use an old pillowcase to cover and remove the dust from the fan blades; this will prevent dust from falling onto surfaces beneath the fan.
Wash Looked-Over Fabrics
Fabrics throughout the home that are usually looked over, such as window curtains and drapes, fabric shower curtains, and bed skirts can actually collect dust mites when left unwashed for so long. Make sure you frequently wash these fabrics in hot water to eliminate lingering dust mites.
Vacuum Regularly
Your carpet can also harbor dust mites and other pollutants and allergens over time if not cleaned regularly. Vacuum at least once a week or more, depending if you have pets or if your home gets a lot of foot traffic. In addition, call our certified technicians at Lone Star Pro Services for an annual professional carpet cleaning.
Have Your Air Ducts Professionally Cleaned
Finally, make sure you give our professionals at Lone Star Pro Services a call for a professional air duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years. How often you use your central heating and air system, whether or not you have pets, or whether or not anyone in the home has problems with allergies or asthma may affect the frequency of how often you need your air ducts cleaned or your air filter replaced.